Updated ,first published
The homicide squad has upgraded charges against a man who allegedly carried out a one-punch attack in Perth city at the weekend, after the victim died in hospital.
Police say the man was in the Perth CBD about 8pm on Friday night when he stole a bank card off a stranger and used it to make a purchase.
Just two hours later, it is alleged he punched a 62-year-old man in the head.
Police said the man stumbled and fell to the ground, before his alleged attacker left the scene.
The 62-year-old victim was left with critical injuries and taken to Royal Perth Hospital.
The 37-year-old from Scarborough was arrested nearby shortly after the one-punch hit, and was originally charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated grievous bodily harm, stealing, and gain benefits by fraud.
He appeared in court on Sunday, and was remanded in custody.
Police confirmed on Monday the victim has since died, and the man’s charges have been upgraded to murder.
The news comes after Tim Picton’s alleged attacker was released on bail last week, after he was charged with manslaughter over the prominent Labor figure’s death in Northbridge last year.
Brodie Dewar has been accused of killing Picton in a one-punch attack.
He has also been charged over a similar incident over a separate assault outside the Kalamunda Hotel just two days prior.
One-punch laws in Western Australia attract a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, or 25 years if the offender was intoxicated.
Premier Roger Cook said at the time his government would investigate what further action could be taken to crack down on one-punch assaults.
“I think there’s more that we can do to look at the circumstances in which people disperse and end the evening to make that a safer process,” he said.
